Zachary Peters

Are we ready for the word of God today? You might have guessed that we are in the book of Philippians. We are working our way through, section by section.

Paul loves this church. He is writing this letter to them from prison. This church, which is having some problems, cares for Paul. Paul has already laid out the basics of some Christian attitudes that he will use to address the issues the church is facing. He has touched on unity, service, and humility. All of it stemming from an all-encompassing passion for Jesus and the gospel.

We saw the practicalities of a life lived for the gospel last week. When your life is aligned and connected to Jesus, then it redefines your experiences. Meaning, in good times and bad times, we can rejoice knowing that God is advancing the gospel, and that is what really matters.

We see more of that this week as we read Philippians 1:18–26:

[18] What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, [19] for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, [20] as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. [21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [22] If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. [23] I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. [24] But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. [25] Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, [26] so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

The Framework of Lasting Joy

There is a lot here, and I love it! This is deep — and not deep in, like, some hidden meaning or special meaning. Deep, as in the great roots of a big tree that grounds that tree during the storms of life. It is simple, natural, and available to you right now.

Paul is a happy guy, somehow, and I think there is a general desire for joy in our lives. In fact, one of the stalwart ideological underpinnings of the American way of life is the pursuit of happiness. Now, that was written by a majority of people who served God, and so from a political science perspective, you cannot divorce that phrase from the spiritual nature of those who helped shape that phrase for the American way of life. We shouldn’t separate that phrase from those who valued it, but we do. Maybe not we individually, but WE collectively.

We want joy and happiness, and life is often wrapped up in pursuing them in a very particular, material way. That doesn’t work. Not for long anyway.

I am here to tell you, based on scripture — this one and others — the simplest framework for lasting joy is a faith in the promises contained in the gospel. That is eternal life and a connection with God that makes us complete. And the second half is the desire to connect others with the gospel. You get those things right, what can stop your joy? Nothing.

Having no money cannot stop your joy. No person can stop your joy. Your practical dreams falling apart cannot stop your joy. If the base of your joy is Christ, well, you’ve got everything already.

We think a job will produce a lasting joy. We think a relationship can produce lasting attitudes of rejoicing (teenage love). We think that all these things that make up our life will somehow produce a sustaining joy. They won’t. They are blessings. They are from God, but they can rot, rust, and be lost. So they cannot be the framework of joy. Only Jesus gives you access to a joy that is undefeated.

That is how Paul is able to walk through these moments with such positivity and rejoicing. He lays his life out as a practical example for the Philippian church and for us, and it all comes from his fixation on Jesus and the gospel.

To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain

And out of this, doesn’t Paul say some astounding things here? “As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. [21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

There are practical changes in our lives, beyond joy, when Christ is the center of who we are.

In life or death, God is going to be honored. To live is a life proclaiming Christ, and to die is to gain Christ in perfection. It’s a win-win situation.

That’s not how we talk about death, is it? No one has ever really enjoyed talking about death. The best some religions can do is make you think the blessings you worked hard for here would somehow be in the next part of life (think Egypt). Some philosophies can make you begrudgingly accept death (Stoicism). Some glorify death in certain ways (Shintoism and Islam).

In Western society, we have a big mix of all that stuff and more. We got people thinking you turn into angels when you die. You got people who think everyone goes to heaven no matter what. There is a big push to not even consider a place like hell. We have people who believe in nothing and so just float through life ignorantly or in some sort of foolish bliss. None of that works, or at least, none of that works like Christianity works.

A Christian’s response to death is productive and beyond anything else humanity has come up with on their own.

We need to align our lives with God so that Jesus is everything, and in that transformative position, even death itself is reframed.

Plenty of Profitable Things to Do Right Now

That is what Paul has done, and then he presents this choice between life in service and death in fulfillment. Living is good, but dying is better. Which do I choose?

This is not fatalism, by the way. This is not some call to say, “Oh, there is nothing here for me anymore, might as well just get it all over with.” No, Paul knows the real goal, and he is simply stating a fact: to be with Christ is everything. But there is good work to be done here!

For him, it is wrapped up in supporting the church, specifically the church in Philippi. For you, the right-now useful and fruitful thing might be your kids and grandkids. It might be a church ministry or your relationships in a neighborhood. It might be a specific calling in your life that is wholly unique. To be with Christ is the glorious end goal, but there are plenty of profitable things to do right now. So don’t just rush off — look around, and get to work.

Designed for Community

Then, at the end here, there is this call of encouragement and emulation. Again, we have already seen Paul do this in the letter.

One reason the church is a together thing and not an at-home thing is this: we need to see others serving God and loving God in action. It builds us up and helps us.

I needed to see pastors and leaders in my church do life. I needed to see them be faithful. I needed to see them handle problems. I needed to see them bounce back from failures. I needed to hear their testimonies. I still need it, and I need to be it for others.

Personal examples are such powerful teaching tools! This becomes more poignant when the examples are displayed when things are not going well.

You were designed for community. Adam was created, and soon after, it is said that it isn’t good for man to be alone, so He made a helper and created woman, Eve. God knew it from the very start.

God biologically designed us to work as family units. Strong families get more done. The church is this on steroids. Together makes things happen.

Paul is calling out to the Philippian church, “Pay attention to what I am going through, how I am acting, and what I am saying. See it and follow my example.” For us — see it and follow his example. Be that example for our children. Be that example for your unsaved family members.

Not Born of Your Own Efforts

We don’t have enough time to do it justice, but in verses 19 and 20, even Paul expresses a hope that he will have some help in making this rejoicing and in moving to a positive and strong finish. Paul speaks of the prayers of the Philippian church and the help of the Holy Spirit. We’ll talk about this next week, but none of what we are talking about today is born out of your own efforts.

You don’t have to be born strong or stoic. You don’t have to be an optimist by nature. It all comes from God and the work of salvation. What a burden off my shoulders.

I want to end by recognizing the power of what Paul is saying. What is it in your life that defines success or failure? Think it through. In your mind right now, list some things that you use to judge your life.

The reality is that if Christ is not the end-all and be-all of our lives, we will miss so much.